Course Proposal Form for Student-Facilitated Courses
Directed Group Study (98 and 198)
Read the instructions on the second page before completing and submitting this form. All fields are required.
Date submitted
Term to be offered
Campus department
Course title
Course number (check one or both)
98
(lower division students)
Number of units
198
(upper division students)
check if unit value worksheet is attached
Student facilitator name(s)
Student facilitator email address(es)
Instructor of record name
Instructor of record email address
Answer the first five questions on a separate sheet or indicate the page
number where the answers can be found in your syllabus (see instructions),
and mark your answers to questions six and seven:
1.
Check if
on a
separate
sheet
or indicate
syllabus
page
number
What is the nature of the subject matter or content of the course? (Include a
weekly schedule that shows topics, readings, and assignments for each week.)
2.
What are the key learning outcomes? (What will students be expected to know or
be able to do as a result of this course?)
3.
What are the methods of instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, collaborative
learning, etc.)?
4.
How will student performance be evaluated? (What will students be required to do
to pass the class, and how much weight will each requirement have toward the
final grade?)
5.
How will the instructor of record supervise the student course facilitator(s)?
6.
Has the student facilitator attended a UCFTR*/SLC* Start-Up Workshop?
or taken a Craft of Facilitating course?
7.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Has the student facilitator consulted with the appropriate department staff person or website to verify
any required department procedures?
Yes (Print name: _____________________________)
*Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training and Resources/Student Learning Center
Signatures: My signature below acknowledges my responsibility for this course.
Student course facilitator(s)
Date
Instructor of record
Date
Department chair
Date
See second page for submission instructions.
No
Course Proposal Form for Student-Facilitated Courses
Directed Group Study (98 and 198)
Instructions: The course proposal form must be completed each semester by the sponsoring
department for every student-initiated 98 or 198 course offered for academic credit. The
department is responsible for the academic quality of the course and the submission of the
proposal form to the Committee on Courses of Instruction (COCI). It is also the department’s
responsibility to ensure that forms are completely and correctly filled out and that all required
information is included. However, departments may make arrangements for student facilitators to
turn in the forms. The form, these instructions, and checklists for student facilitators, instructors
of record, and department chairs are available on the Special Studies website
(http://vpapf.chance.berkeley.edu/specialstudies/index.html).
On a separate sheet, student facilitators should provide a response to each of the first five
questions listed on the form. Please note: a well-written syllabus should address the first four
questions; if the included syllabus does, please indicate the page number on which the
answer can be found, and also write the question number on the syllabus in the
appropriate section. The fifth question is not included in a syllabus, so this question should be
answered on a separate sheet. Questions six and seven should be answered on the form. The
worksheet to determine unit value is available at http://academicsenate.berkeley.edu/committees/coci/sfc.
Deadline: The deadline for submitting the form to COCI is one month before the last day of
instruction in the preceding semester (or summer). Individual department deadlines usually fall
before COCI’s deadline. Late submissions, if approved by the sponsoring department, must be
accompanied by a letter from the department chair or dean (or their designate) clearly laying out
the reasons for the lateness. Email is acceptable.
Submission Instructions: The sponsoring department should keep the original signed form and
provide a copy to each of the following:
•
•
•
•
COCI, Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate, 320 Stephens Hall # 5842. Also attach a
copy of the syllabus, answers to the seven questions, and workload worksheet (if
completed).
The cognizant dean (if required by the dean)
The student facilitator
Optional: The Program for Democratic Education at Cal, 112 Hearst Gym, Station 15, if the
facilitator wishes to affiliate and list the course with DeCal. For more information, visit
http://www.decal.org. Note that DeCal is not affiliated with the Academic Senate and has
different submission deadlines.
COCI will review proposals and copies will be kept on file in the Academic Senate. Due to the
volume of submissions received, departments and facilitators will not be contacted to verify
receipt of proposals or review by COCI. For questions about the form or directed group study
courses, please contact the Academic Senate at (510) 642-4226 or acad_sen@berkeley.edu.
Craft of Facilitating Course and Start-Up Workshops
The Student Learning Center’s Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training and Resource (UCFTR)
Center offers a 2- or 3-unit course for student facilitators: Education 97/197, The Craft of
Facilitating. This course can be taken concurrently or prior to the semester in which the course
will be offered. The UCFTR Center also offers 1.5-hour start-up workshops several times per
semester. Both the course and the workshop offer students assistance with developing a syllabus
and learning to facilitate. Attendance at a workshop or course is highly encouraged (and may be
required by the department). See http://slc.berkeley.edu/ucftr/ for more details.
Student Checklist for 98 and 198 Courses
Students who wish to initiate and facilitate a 98 or 198 course need to do the following:
1. Secure faculty sponsorship (get an “instructor of record”) and
course approval in the semester (or summer) before the class
is to be offered. The deadline for submitting proposals to the
Committee on Courses of Instruction is one month before the
end of instruction in the preceding semester (or summer). Late
submissions must be accompanied by a letter from the dean
or department chair (or their designate) clearly laying out the
reasons for the lateness. Email is acceptable.
2. Know the role of the faculty member who serves as the
instructor of record for student-initiated special studies
courses. Faculty responsibilities include:
a. ensuring that the course is within the scope of the
department’s academic program
b. approving the course syllabus
c. supervising and mentoring students who coordinate
special studies courses
d. supervising and awarding all final grades
e. reporting grades to the Registrar
f. responding to and resolving complaints, conflicts, and
grievances brought by students taking the course
3. Consider attending pedagogical workshops offered by the
Student Learning Center’s Undergraduate Course Facilitator
Training and Resources. These workshops are structured to
help you design and teach a successful course:
http://slc.berkeley.edu/ucftr/
4. Consider enrolling in the “Craft of Facilitating” offered by the
Student Learning Center’s Undergraduate Course Facilitator
Training and Resources. This course provides unit credit.
http://slc.berkeley.edu/ucftr/
5. Become familiar with policies and procedures related to special
studies courses, as described on the special studies website:
http://education.berkeley.edu/specialstudies
the students’ experiences.
c. Students are informed in writing about what they need to
do to pass the course.
8. Develop a written syllabus that includes the:
a. outline of course content
b. reading list
c. statement of frequency of class meetings
d. clear description of assignments and requirements for
passing the class
e. key learning outcomes (what will students know or be
expected to do as a result of this course?)
f. methods of instruction
g. methods of evaluation of student performance (98/198
courses are exempt from the final exam requirement)
See http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html for
information on how to create a syllabus.
9. In collaboration with the sponsoring faculty member:
a. Develop a plan for how the faculty member will provide
supervision and mentoring. The faculty member could
observe your course, review your course materials,
meet with you to discuss course progress, offer advice
on teaching strategies, suggest readings about good
teaching practices, among other options.
b. Identify an appropriate course evaluation form to be
administered to students at the end of the term.
c. Identify an appropriate evaluation form for you to
submit at the end of the term to the faculty sponsor that
addresses your experiences in coordinating the class.
d. Establish a mechanism for keeping accurate records and
documentation to support the awarding of credit to
enrolled students.
6. Become familiar with policies and procedures related to
academic accommodations for students with
disabilities.
e. Enroll, if you wish, in a 99/199 independent study course
supervised by the sponsoring faculty member; you
cannot be enrolled in the course you are facilitating.
f. Obtain a room assignment from your sponsoring
department scheduler before instruction begins.
http://dsp.berkeley.edu/berkacompolicy.html
http://dsp.berkeley.edu/dspfaq.html
7. Make sure that your proposed course has explicit academic
content and requirements, beyond classroom attendance, for
receiving credit. In particular:
a. Students read, as part of the course, articles, books, and/
or primary source documents that place the topic of the
course in an academic context.
b. Students are required to write a short paper (or papers)
that deal with the readings or the readings in relation to
g. Talk with your faculty sponsor about the resources you
will need for your course.
10.Complete the Special Studies Course Proposal Form and
secure appropriate signatures.
For more information:
http://vpapf.chance.berkeley.edu/specialstudies/index.html
Faculty Checklist for Student-Facilitated 98 and 198 Courses
Have you checked to ensure the following?
1. The student has approached you the semester
(or summer) before a class is to be offered to secure
your approval and sponsorship­. The deadline for
submitting proposals to the Committee on Courses
of Instruction is one month before the end of
instruction in the preceding semester (or summer).
Late submissions must be accompanied by a letter
from the dean or department chair (or their designate)
clearly laying out the reasons for the lateness. Email is
acceptable.
2. The Committee on Courses of Instruction (COCI) has
approved this course to be taught in your department
at the appropriate level (i.e., 98 for lower-division
students; 198 for upper-division students).
3. The course number matches the content of the course
(i.e., 98 and 198 are group studies courses).
4. The proposed course is in compliance with Academic
Senate guidelines on unit values, is graded on a pass/
not pass basis, and has regularly scheduled meeting
times.
5. The proposed course has explicit academic content
and requirements, beyond classroom attendance, for
receiving credit. In particular:
a. Students read, as part of the course, articles,
books, and/or primary source documents that
place the topic of the course in an academic
context.
b. Students are required to write a short paper (or
papers) that deal with the readings or the readings
in relation to the students’ experiences.
c. Students are informed in writing about what they
need to do to pass the course.
d. All 98/198 courses (including but not limited to
DeCal courses) are permanently exempt from
the final exam requirement. Assignments may be
due the last week of classes, as long as they are
not designated as final exams or assessments.
In general, such assignments should not have
significantly more weight than other assignments
given during the semester.
6. The content of the proposed course is within the scope
of your department’s academic program.
7. You have clarified the respective roles and
responsibilities of the student course facilitator and
the instructor of record. In particular
a. You have reviewed and approved the course
syllabus prepared by the student course facilitator.
The syllabus includes an outline of course content,
the reading list, states the frequency of class
meetings, and specifies clearly assignments and
the requirements, beyond classroom attendance,
for obtaining a passing grade. (See
http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
for information on how to create a syllabus.)
b. You have developed a plan for supervising the
student course facilitator and reviewed this plan
with the student course facilitator. Supervision
can take the form of in-class observations, review
of course materials, and/or meetings with the
student course facilitator, among other options.
c. You and the student course facilitator have
identified an appropriate course evaluation form
to be administered to students at the end of the
term.
d. The student course facilitator understands that
you, as the instructor of record, are the one who
has the responsibility for supervising the awarding
of all final grades and for reporting the grades to
the Registrar.
e. You and the student course facilitator have
established a mechanism for keeping accurate
records and documentation to support the
awarding of credit to enrolled students.
f. You, as the instructor of record, are aware that
you are the appropriate person to respond to
and resolve complaints, conflicts, and grievances
brought by students taking the course.
g. You ask that the student course facilitator
participate in the Student Learning Center’s
Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training and
Resources office’s Start Up Workshops and/or
enroll in the SLC’s “Craft of Facilitating” course
(Education 97/197, Section 12)
(http://slc.berkeley.edu/ucftr/).
h. The student course facilitator is not enrolled in
the 98 or 198 class itself. Student facilitators may
receive credit by enrolling in a 99/199 course that
you supervise, or by enrolling in the SLC’s “Craft of
Facilitating” course.
8. You have checked to see that the resources needed for
this course can be provided by the department or are
otherwise available to the student.
Next Steps
1. Sign the proposal if it meets the criteria for approval.
2. Retain a copy for your files.
3. Submit the proposal to the department chair for
review. The department chair must approve the
proposal for the course to be offered.
For more information:
http://vpapf.chance.berkeley.edu/specialstudies/index.html
Department Chair Checklist for Student-Facilitated 98 and 198 Courses
Have you checked to ensure the following?
1. The course proposal has been submitted for your
approval prior to the deadline of one month before the
end of instruction in the semester (or summer) before the
class is to be taught. If the proposal is being submitted
after the deadline, it must be accompanied by a letter
from you (or your designate) clearly laying out the
reasons for the lateness. Email is acceptable.
2. The Committee on Courses of Instruction (COCI) has
approved this course to be taught in your department at
the appropriate level (i.e., 98 for lower -division students;
198 for upper-division students).
3. The instructor of record, per Academic Senate regulation
A205, is not supervising more than one Passed/Not
Passed undergraduate course in any given term, exclusive
of individual study or research courses, unless approval
to do so has been given by the Dean of the School or
College in which the course is offered.
4. The department is willing to provide appropriate
administrative support for this course.
5. The resources needed for this course can be provided by
the department or are otherwise available to the student.
Have you verified that the instructor of record has made the appropriate decisions
on the following?
1. The course number matches the content of the course
(i.e., 98 and 198 are group studies courses).
2. The proposed course is in compliance with Academic
Senate guidelines on unit value, is graded on a Passed/
Not Passed basis, and has regularly scheduled meeting
times.
3. The proposed course has explicit academic content
and requirements, beyond classroom attendance, for
receiving credit. In particular:
a. Students read, as part of the course, articles, books,
and/or primary source documents that place the
topic of the course in an academic context.
b. Students are required to write a short paper (or
papers) that deal with the readings or the readings in
relation to the students’ experiences.
c. Students are informed in writing about what they
need to do to pass the course.
d. All 98/198 (including but not limited to
DeCal courses) are permanently exempt from the
final exam requirement. Assignments may be due
in the last week of classes, as long as they are not
designated as final exams or assessments. In general,
such assignments should not have significantly more
weight than other assignments given during the
semester.
4. The content of the proposed course is within the scope of your department’s academic program.
c. Has established with the student course facilitator
a mechanism for keeping accurate records and
documentation to support the awarding of credit to
enrolled students.
d. Has ensured that the student course facilitator is
not enrolled in the course. The instructor of record
may enroll the student course facilitator in a 99/199
course that he/she will supervise.
Next Steps
1. Sign the course proposal form if it meets the necessary
criteria for approval.
2. Retain the original approved proposal with your
department records.
3. Send a copy of the approved proposal form to the
Committee on Courses of Instruction ( Academic Senate,
320 Stephens Hall, MC 5842).
4. Provide your Dean with a copy of the approved proposal
form.
5. Provide the student with a copy of the approved
proposal.
5. The instructor of record has:
a. Reviewed and approved the most current version of
the syllabus.
b. A plan for supervising the student course facilitator.
For more information:
http://vpapf.chance.berkeley.edu/specialstudies/index.html